Transformation Of Agricultural Technology Development Approaches In Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at analyzing the transformation of agricultural innovation approaches in Tanzania, from a ‘linear’ to ‘system’ mode of innovation, responding to reform measures and new heterogeneous demands from the agricultural sector. The Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) approach allows multiple actors to participate in agricultural chains and also accommodate the institutional and organizational innovation. Using the perceptions of researchers and their experiences from technologies generated from agricultural Research and Development (R&D) institutions and organizations, the research study provides the answer of why the adapted features of system mode of innovation by the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) over time, have not sufficiently enhanced the impact of technological innovation in Tanzanian agriculture, particularly on reaching the majority smallholder resource-poor farmers that are weakly linked to the market. The research applied mixed methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative methods, including survey of 100 researchers and 87 technologies, and in-depth key informant interviews. Analysis of the quantitative data indicated that, awareness of features of AIS is limited to about half (50%) of researchers. However, quantitative data and qualitative information form the technologies, identified various features of AIS that are incorporated in NARS. Further analysis identified that about 69% of the agricultural technologies fromR&D are potentially public goods hence are managed through innovation intermediation /brokerage roles performed in a project set-up by R&D institutions and NGOs. The inadequate involvement of private sector in agricultural innovation was mainly due to lack of viable commercial market for this type of agricultural technologies. The study concluded that a number of institutional features of agricultural innovation system have been incorporated in the current NARS in Tanzania, however, present limited delivery of innovations. All stakeholders should promote, support and sponsor research using the ‘system’ approaches of agricultural innovation at all levels. In order for this to happen, it demands on policy re-orientation regarding modes of operation, management style, and the legal framework. Enabling environment for wider stakeholders participation in research and extension should also be adopted and the indicators of performance for agricultural research should capture not only technical innovations, but also institutional, organizational and managerial innovations.